Skip to main content.

Executive Summary

This is one of the most critical issues facing this country and is at least similar to the Rogernomics policies of the 1980s

Karamea Chris Insley, Managing Director – 37 Degrees South

  • Te Tiriti o Waitangi – rights and impacts upon settlements: Rights under the Treaty were affirmed and significant concerns were expressed about the government’s right to develop this system and the impacts of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on the value of past settlements or current Treaty negotiations, and the issue of ‘good faith’ negotiations.

  • Te Tiriti o Waitangi – allocation to Crown Forest License Lands: The view of Māori is that New Zealand Units (NZUs) should be allocated to Crown Forest Licences (CFL) and that the NZUs should be treated similarly to accumulated rentals from CFL lands. Essentially, once a settling claimant has agreed with either the government or the Waitangi Tribunal on CFL lands, then those settling claimants will receive both the accumulated rental and any New Zealand Units without any reference to or impact on quantum.

  • Forestry-specific issues: Much of the discussion comprised Māori seeking clarification and a better understanding of the impacts of ETS on equitable treatment, the variety of land ownership arrangements (particularly in relation to Māori freehold land), and the impacts on the various relationships between land owners and owners of forests on that land. There were requests for modelling of the various options to be made available. There were two key issues discussed at the national hui held from October to December 2007. The first for discussion was the possible allocation of New Zealand Units to pre-1990 indigenous forests. It was considered that allocation based on historic deforesting rates would be inequitable and that the allocation set for pre-1990 exotic forests should be adopted. At the very least, the recognition of the value of having indigenous forests needs to be addressed.

  • Recognising and addressing rohe-specific issues: Many hui focussed on gaining a better understanding of the complexities of the proposed ETS and how it impacts on diverse Māori realities. Every hui noted issues that were specific to their rohe and wanted to know more about the opportunities and risks presented by the ETS in relation to their rohe.

  • Allocating research funds for Māori and rohe-specific issues: There was a desire for relevant, focussed research to enable Māori to make informed decisions on behalf of their iwi, hapū, shareholders, and future generations.

  • Understanding risks and opportunities in ETS, and issues of timing: Hui attendees actively sought to understand the opportunities and risks presented by the ETS. This included business and research opportunities, and understanding how to acquire and trade carbon credits domestically and internationally.

  • Consultation process: The consultation process again came under scrutiny. Some felt that Māori were not being recognised as a Treaty partner. Tight timelines in which to understand and then comment on the ETS and its impact on Māori were also criticised. Also the preference of Rangatira to engage with Ministers with proper operational support (Māori Reference Group) was not recognised by the government.

  • Agricultural sector impacts: The timing of the entry of the agricultural sector into the ETS was questioned, along with concerns that other sectors may be supporting or subsidising the emissions from the agricultural sector until 2013.

  • General: There were a number of other key points raised relating to the ability of New Zealand to influence international behaviour, the impact of the ETS on the import/export sector of the New Zealand economy, opportunities around renewable energy generation, the Crown’s role in accelerated land conversion, and scepticism about the actual effect of the ETS on households, particularly low-income households.

[ |